Bravo to light up Etihad Stadium

Colourful West Indian Dwayne Bravo will join the Melbourne Renegades for the final two fixtures of the KFC T20 Big Bash League home and away season.

Bravo, who became a cult-like figure during his two-year tenure with the Victoria Bushrangers in the T20 competition’s previous incarnation, returns to his adopted state to wear the Renegade red against Sydney Sixers at Etihad Stadium on 18 January, and against the Strikers at Adelaide Oval on 22 January.

The 175cm all-rounder will provide much-needed strike power to the top order in the absence of Englishman Jos Buttler and – potentially – captain Aaron Finch.

Having previously played with the Sydney Sixers in the opening stanza of the KFC T20 Big Bash League in 2011-12, Bravo brings significant domestic and international experience to the Renegades, including long stints with the West Indies and Chennai Super Kings.

His 37 T20Is have netted 739 runs at an average of 29.56 and strike rate of just over 119.

Renegades Coach Simon Helmot said Bravo would also provide a more than capable option with the ball.

“Dwayne is one of the best T20 all-rounders in the world. He can bat at the top and bowls anywhere,” Helmot said.

“He’s experienced and we look forward to welcoming him to the club.”

The Melbourne Renegades take on the Mike Hussey-led Sydney Thunder in a must-win encounter at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 14 January.

Hussey is the only other cricketer to hit a six during live play besides Renegades Captain Aaron Finch, who has now achieved the feat in consecutive seasons.

The fixture will also pit former Sri Lankan team-mates Muthiah Muralidaran and Tillakaratne Dilshan against one another as the Thunder attempt to win their first game in two seasons and the Renegades battle to remain in the hunt for a BBL|03 finals berth.